The colorful season of fall is almost upon us. But before we can sit back and enjoy the changing leaves and cooler climate, there are a number of fall fix-up projects that every homeowner should consider in order to prepare for the ensuing months of winter.

From weather stripping windows, to sweeping out the chimney, in addition to completing routine maintenance on your home it’s also a good time to take a look inside and update your décor.

According to Peggy Van Allen, color services manager for Pratt & Lambert Paints, October is the most popular month for completing interior painting projects. “The cooler temperatures provide the ideal backdrop for painting,” says Van Allen. “Many people also want to complete their interior projects during this time knowing that in a few short weeks they’ll be entertaining family and friends for the holidays. They want their home looking as beautiful as possible.”

Van Allen also notes that fall is an optimal time for painting because of the inspiring natural backdrop of color it provides. Pulling in the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of the changing leaves can add warmth and character that you’ll appreciate during the cold winter months.

In order to successfully and easily transform your home’s interior with paint color, Van Allen offers the following fall fix-up painting tips:

1. When choosing color, keep in mind that it will look much stronger on the wall than it does on a paint chip. To begin your selection process, choose a shade that is slightly lighter and grayer than your first choice, then work your way into deeper shades if necessary.

2. Buy a sample of your selection and try it on the wall. Pratt & Lambert’s Sample Selector Program offers two-ounce containers in 288 different colors that can accommodate a standard size two-inch brush; so there is no need to transfer the paint to another container. The samples provide enough paint to cover a two-foot square wall area, allowing you to see the paint spread across a larger surface.

3. View your selected color in the actual room you are painting so you can see how the changing light in the room affects the color. Living with it for a few days to see if you like its appearance in various types of lighting conditions will help you decide whether the color suites your taste.

4. Hold the color chip up to your existing furniture, flooring and fixtures to determine if the colors work together. If you have colorful furnishings, try to focus on three colors from the existing elements that will tie the room together. If your furnishings are neutral, look for inspiration in books or magazines to help determine the colors that you are most drawn to.

5. Proportions of color are important. Having too much of one color can look lifeless, so you may want to add a dash of one or two complementary colors to provide balance. Also remember that in smaller rooms wall colors will bounce off of each other making the color appear even stronger.

6. Color variation is a great way to add dimension to a room. Accent walls can add interest or define separate areas so don’t be afraid to use two colors of paint on a room’s walls. However, if painting different colors in adjacent rooms, it’s best to unify them with the same color trim or flooring.

Following these simple tips can help ensure you have a warm, attractive and welcoming space to spend the blustery winter months ahead. However, according to Van Allen, “The most important decorating tip is to make your home as comfortable and pleasant as possible by exploring and expressing your creativity. That’s really how to find out what décor and color schemes work best for you.”

For more information on Pratt & Lambert, and additional resources for choosing color, please visit www.prattandlambert.com or call (800) 289-7728.